This is the final part (10 of 10) of our summer-long Q of W series on the Bible. If any of these pieces have inspired your own question, make sure you get in touch with me (mtatarnic@stgeorgesanglican.ca or 905-682-9232).
Part 10: Tips for Strengthening your Relationship with the Bible
I shared this quote from Barbara Brown Taylor a few months ago in one of my sermons: “My relationship with the Bible is not a romance but a marriage, and one I am willing to work on in all the usual ways: by living with the text day in and day out, by listening to it and talking back to it, by making sure I know what is behind the words it speaks to me and being certain I have heard it properly, by refusing to distance myself from the parts I do not like or understand, by letting my love for is show up in the everyday acts of my life.”
Here are some very Anglican tips for investing in your own “marriage” with the Bible:
Anglican Worship – our Anglican worship is steeped in Biblical verses. Your regular participation in worship allows Biblical language to become part of the vocabulary of your life and your prayer.
Aside from the worship itself, we hear up to 4 passages of Scripture every time we gather on Sunday mornings (Hebrew Scripture, Psalm, New Testament and Gospel). The passages are selected for us by the lectionary, meaning that we hear a wide variety of Scripture, not necessarily just the parts your clergy like the best. Oftentimes, only one of these four passages is discussed in the sermon, so here are some other things to consider about how you participate in worship:
-we have Bibles available in the Sanctuary, or you may wish to bring your own. Some people find it easier to hear Scripture when they can read along. We use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.
-you can also follow along on your cell phone if you wish. Try http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/
-you can also prepare. We list the readings for the following week in the Saints Connection and in the weekly email. This allows you to read ahead of time. http://textweek.com is a great resource offering reflections on the readings.
Bible Study: All Christians are invited to invest in a daily habit of Scripture, reading the Bible as part of your personal life of faith. But in truth, the Bible is best approached through some accompanying practice of listening and/or conversation. Our Super Tuesday adult study group engages in Bible study (or book study with a Biblical component). Our various children’s programs likewise help our children to become more familiar with the Bible. We have a small group that meets in people’s homes for fellowship and Bible study, and we are beginning a Young Adult Bible Study group this fall. I am interested in starting a monthly Sunday morning “Bibles & Bagels” group which would look at that morning’s readings in a group setting. If you are interested in knowing more about any of these groups, please speak to me.
Questions: Our Clergy Team love questions! If you want to know more, if you are looking for more resources in growing in your relationship with the Bible, if we say something in a sermon that you want to ask more about, don’t hesitate to reach out! We are all enriched when we hear and respond to one another’s thoughts, needs and questions.